In the Days of Flying Clippers

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6804, 7 January 1929, Page 5

In the Days of Flying Clippers

Invincible and City of Agra

Lying close to the Invincible (700 tons) in Shanghai Harbour at the end of September, 1867, was a fine-looking, full-rigged ship having painted ports, the City of Agra. She was a powerfully built vessel of about 1000 tons, carrying double top-gallant yards, a big square royal, and a skysail. She was much larger than the Invincible. She had heavier spars and carried in proportion a more numerous crow. She had the reputation of being a fast sailer which could rattle off 12 or 14

knots. Unless this speed was attained, nc charter for tea could at that time be obtained, so keen were the merchants to land tho -first or second crop on the London market. With the change of wind or tide the sterns of the two vessels would swung close together, writes W. D. Clarke, in the- Melbourne Argus. (Mr. Clarke, who is now living yi retirement, was an apprentice on the Invincible when the race here described by him took place). As they had arrived in port and discharged their outward cargo about the same time, there arose a certain amount of interest between the two crews. This developed later into a little jealousy over which ship would eventually be first loaded and get away to England. Both vessels finished taking in cargo almost at the same time. Two lighters with the last of the tea left the wharves together, and the final chest was pitched aboard each almos simultaneously. The chief mate of the Invincible, Mr. Buck, was a smart seaman. In general efficiency it was hard to find his equal. Quick Sheet Home. When he noticed the City of Agra’s men swarming up the rigging and spreading themselves along tho yards, ho knew that it was to loosen, gaskets in preparation for a quick departure. But if it was reckoned to get to windward of him a mistake had been made. In double quick time his men were also aloft, and soon every sail was in readiness for a quick sheet home. Not alone this, %ut he had the hatches battened down and every attention paid to detail for a departure at any moment. Both vessels were flying the Blue

Peter, and it was simply a question which captain could first obtain a clearance from the Customs house. The final result was awaited with impatience alike by the crews and by those ashore in shipping circles. Excitement grew especially between the Chinese stevedores and sampan men. Bets were made freely, and when it was seen that the two last lighters had discharged their respective cargoes there was a great to-do. Shortly after six o’clock in the evening the City men matincd windlass to the tune of "The AVide Missouri.” The other crew, clapped on to their bars, responcd with tho "Rio Grande.” The vessels were soon hove short in readiness to trip as soon as the commanders came aboard. The shades of night were just beginning to fall and a few shore lights to twinkle, when a small steamer was discovered heading directly towards one or the other. To the City she finally ranged alongside. Notwithstanding the fast approaching darkness the ship got under weigh and glided from her moorings. Departure in Darkness. There was such a want of light when the captain and the pilot of tho Invincible came off that, in consideration of the intricate windings of the river, with tho sluice of a tide just making, it was decided not to start until daylight. All hands turned in prepared for an early call, which came, sure enough, before the stars were blotted out of the eastern sky. The river being in places snaggy

and narrow, the Invincible had to bo taken cautiously, but before half-past seven o ’clock the mouth was Tcaehed and the open sea lay before her. A man had been sent aloft to report the direction and probable distance of the City, but nothing in resemblance could be seen. It only remained to clap on every stitch in the hope of overhauling her. So the Invincible was soon clothed from head to stem with canvas of every conceivable kind that would draw, even to a "Jimmy Green,” as the sea was calm enough for its use. Before noon several ships wore passed as if at anchor, but the one most

sought after was not seen. In the far distance a sail was seen just hull down upon -which the Invincible gained little, if any. Stern Chase of the “City,” It was agreed that this was the City. After that a lonely furrow was ploughed down the China Sea and through the Gasper Straits. Passing by Anjcr Point, tho final gateway before launching into the Indian Ocean, it was learned that a big paintedport ship had gone through that morning. As the description tallied with that of our opponent, there was no doubt as to her identity. She was only six hours ahead. In due time the influence of the Mozambique current was felt, and the Invincible rushed towards Capo Agulhas with the utmost possible speed. About two months out, after she had covered nearly 3,000 miles and w r as pretty well in siglit of the Natal coast, a largo ship was reported early one bright morning on the starboard beam.

Immediately the captain went aloft with his spyglass, and at onco recognised the City. Although running parallel and steering precisely the same course, each vessel somehow edged towards the other until about noon, when they were sufficiently close to exchange signals. With a dipping of ensigns as a parting salute both ships held on their way, neither gaining on the other. When darkness finally closed upon the scene the City could just be discerned in the distance, bearing by compass

THRILLING OCEAN RACE

about the same as in the "fternoon. The following morning she was not in sight, nor did we see her again until she was met with in the chops of the English Channel. Tho Invincible was now 120 days from Shanghai, and as she was favoured with a good breeze from the westward it was confidently expected to reach London in a few days, -bn! the wind suddenly changed to the eastward, and it was more than three weeks before t-he reached the shelter of Green Sailors’ Home. Battle up the Channel. In common with scores of other vessels, the Invincible had now to beat ■up the English Channel, and in doing so she crossed the bows of the City, which was in like dilemma. So it came about that on each tuck the two ships lay athwart without either obtaining in advantage, and thus the race continued until at length Dungencss was reached and a pilot-boat was seen bobbing off frpm the shore. Each captain took a guide, and both entered into tho spirit of the race, and clapped on every available rag of canvas. The vessels, now weighed down with extra sail, careered over until the lee rails were awash, but neither master would start a sheet lpst the other might obtain on advantage. Both ships, half buried in foam, were now neck and neck, in distance about half a mile apart. So they continued until some hours later when two tugboats hove in sight. These bore dowp, and they were finally ranged on each vessel’s quarter, where bargaining could more easily take place before an agreement was reached regarding the sum of money to be paid for towage to London. These little but powerful steamers hovered within hailing distance ready for the moment when a captain would signal the word for the towline to be run out. Towed to Port.

All eyes on the Invincible were bent on the City, anxiously waiting for a sign of submission to the heavy demands generally made by the master of a tugboat. Suddenly a hoarse yell went up as it was seen that the royal and top gallant sheets of the City were let go and everything was in confusion. Without further ado away went the Invincible’s sheets, and the tug was waved to go ahead with a hawser at full speed. Before a quarter of an hour had passed both vessels were hauled along -at a great pace abreast of each other.

All was excitement and pandemonium. Every sa' l had to be stowed, so as to follow tlii -yards to be braced sharp to the wind, which was nearly dead on, and thereby lessen the force of air and obstruction generally to the steamer’s effort. In this way the Downs were reached at the mouth of the Thames. Here a river pilot was taken on board, and after only a short delay both vessels proceeded to Gravesend, and for tho night, or until the tide served, dropped anchor, each anchor plunging into the water at- the same moment. Fate of Invincible. Before daylight the crews were roused out to man tho windlasses, and before many minutes the bars were going up and down with great vigour. Never did anchors come up more quickly. In an incredibly short space of time both vessels were moving rapidly up the river with tugs alongside. They glided on side by side until the dock was reached. A short delay took place while the gates were being opened. They both warped at the same time, the Invincible’s jib-boom finally resting over the City’s pool deck. Thus ended a memorable IG,000 ocean race after a passage covering 145 days. It was the talk of nautical circles for many years.

I left the Invincible some years later, and subsequently, after leaving England with a new captain and crew, she disappeared and was never heard of again. The City of Agra continued above water for many decades, and was reported “All Well” off the Australian coast nearly 40 years afterwards.